Now I'm starting to remember why I stopped tinkering with computers. Decided to stress test the spare box as it currently stands in case of any unforeseen funnies. It makes a noise, which varies with CPU load. Not loud, but very annoying sounding. I've come across this once before, which was traced to the PSU. I don't have a spare PSU to test with, so I've also ordered a new one, going for an Enermax 425W model. PSUs are not an area I skimp on for a main box. Currently it has a no name 500W in it.

All items are ordered for next day delivery

Ooh, they also had the Intel SSD in stock. Shame only the 160GB version which is double the price of the 80GB version so a bit too much for now.

I really need to get moving the components. Wonder if there'll be some photo ops on the way.

The box is built. I have windows and 99% of my software installed. Yet I'm still using my old desktop. Why? I want to get the noise lower.

Here is the problem. Shown is a Zalman... something or other fitted. It barely fits, that I don't want to run it like this normally. It touches the bar running along the case, and it is pushing the PSU upwards quite a bit.

Centered on the CPU, I estimate I have up to 120mm from CPU surface to the PSU, 110mm left to right to match the shown heatsink, and 85mm on the remaining axis if its tall enough to avoid hitting the bar. As such I'm running the stock intel hsf and while I can tolerate the temps (80C under worst case stress test, typically 70C under load) it is a little noisier than I like. So I'm looking for ideas on something that can fit in that space, while giving at least the same cooling performance as the stock intel at lower noise.

So far it looks like one of the Zalman flower heatpipe arrangements might give the best balance. Almost everything else designed for low noise seems to be simply too tall.

One other consideration is I could shave some metal off the pictured heatsink...

Today I used a metal cutter and took a bit off the top of the previously pictured heatsink. Put it back in, and after running for about an hour, I got the same temps as I was getting with the Intel hsf. Left the case open, and temps dropped drastically from around 70C to under 60C. Apologies to Intel for assuming the stock hsf sucked, instead I need to figure out some quiet case airflow improvement.